Silver on Dyscrasite

Item Description

Pribram is a truly historic silver district, known and mined since ancient times. It started in the 1400s for silver and only much later transitioned to recovering other ores like uranium. Although the locality produced crystals of many species both rare and common, Silver and silver ores have by far been its most famous mineral species for collectors, although in some mineral collecting circles people prefer the extreme rarities found here. These intricate, delicate-looking specimens of Silver are mostly replacements where the Silver has partially or completely replaced the original crystals of Dyscrasite (probably a full replacement but you would have to analyse it in multiple points to be sure). Dyscrasite is a relatively uncommon silver antimonide. This captivating small cabinet piece has dozens of silvery to gray, attenuated and spiky, branching spindles of Silver all over the display face. The substrate is a sooty, knobby surface probably comprised of Silver after Dyscrasite and the extent of pseudomorphism unknown and certainly not obvious. It is a Pribram classic and mostly unique to this locality. It is an excellent and beautiful example in the size class, with visual appeal and sculptural aesthetics. This old style was said to have come out prior to the wall falling (who knows when!), and only later sent to market in the newly opened and combined Germany after the wall. A heavy specimen of massive ore and crystals both, 398 grams mass or about 1 pound in weight.